Content Warning: This section references slavery, racism and racist slurs, dubious sexual consent, deaths of family members, and violence (including racist violence and gun violence).

Despite her assertion otherwise, emigre Honor Bright knows that her life will be forever altered by her decision to accompany her sister, Grace, to America from England. She reassures herself with the false notion that she can return to England as she prepares to immigrate to Ohio. She focuses on details about Faithwell (a small town near Oberlin, Ohio) as relayed by her future brother-in-law, Adam Cox, though she frets about living in a wooden house, which seems more susceptible to damage than a brick home. She further worries about the transatlantic voyage, as her only experience in boats was an unpleasant childhood excursion in a rowboat.

On the Adventurer, Honor struggles with seasickness, which persists throughout the monthlong voyage. Grace, whose own seasickness is fleeting, works to distract Honor with chatter about the wonder of America that awaits them. Honor reflects that Grace’s adventurousness led to her connection with Adam, who is staid and lives in America, which excites Grace. Honor questions the wisdom of accompanying her sister, who asked Honor to come in hopes of distracting her from the heartbreak of being jilted.